i,M  OF 


u(,.V> 


(      r"V  1           •  '^ 

A  P  P  E  A  L 

TO       THE 

IMP  A  RTI AL   PUBLIO 

B    Y 

The    Society  of 
Chriftian     INDEPE^iDEN'tS, 

CONGREGATING    IN 

G  L  Ot  E  S  T  E  K 


B        O        S        T        ON, 

Printed    by    Bj^njamin    Edes    &    So^ 
No*  4«,  CorbhilK 
M,DCC,LXXXy'i 


/j)X  y^^  ^^^^ ""  ^^"^  / 


A    N 


appeal;  &c. 


Friends  and  Countrymek^' 

IN  our  appeal  to  you,  we  feel  a  confidencc^^ 
which  in  an  addrefs  to  the  rulers  of  a  tyV 
rannical  government,we  could  never  poffefsj 
While  the  people  have  the  power  of  form- 
ing their  own  government,  of  enafting  their 
own  laws ;  and  while  they  hold  in  their  own 
hands  the  fovereignty  of  their  Common  wealth, 
jaftly  deeming  their  higheft  officers  their  fer- 
vants,  and  are  attentive  to  every  meafure,  whidi 
may  in  its  confeqaences,  affcd  their  liberty, 
they  cannot  fail  to  be  free  and  happy . 

We  (hould  be  far  from  giving  our  country- 
men the  trouble  of  attending  to  an  appeal  froni 
a  focicty,  fo  fmall  and  inconfiderable  as  ours, 
had  we  not  been  drawn  before  a  civil  tribunal, 
in  defence  of  what  we  fuppofc  to   be  our    juft^ 

invaWuble 


^qvaluaWeand  conftitutional  rights.  A  queftion 
lias  been  agitated  refpeQing  us;  the  decifion  of 
uhich,  ultimatety  regards  every  citizen  of  the 
Cornrnonweakh/^nd'inftatitiy  affe^ls  the  feveraf 
religious  orders  of  E'pircopalians,  Bapiills,  Pref-' 
lr\  terians,  Sandamanians,  Quakers,  and  every 
^  ther  cenorhination  of  Chriftians^  who  in  this 
o'Mte  ha^ve    been  called  Seilarks.  »        ^  ^ 

H'Ai)  we  e^?er  done  any  thing  in  oppofition 
to  th^  freedom  or  independence  of  our  Country,' 
nay>  had  we  ever  (hewa  a  backcvardnefs  in  the 
Ike  war,  to  amll  in  the  prefervation  of  thofc 
j^tiviie"j;es,  for  which  we  now  are  called  to  con- 
tend in  courts  of  jufiice,  we  fhould  feel  a  diffi- 
dence in  laying  our  caufe  before  the  impartial 
p-ubiic  ;  but  teeUng  bnrl>lv'es  dftfe;vedly  verted 
v^r.h  the  privileges  and  immunities  of  tree  citi-' 
ztrfS.of  this  Commonwealth,  and  er^titied  to 
*tliOfe  iiberties  with  which  Heaven  has 'made  us 
free^*  and  which  we  believe  to  be  fecurcd  to  lis, 
*ty*a  C'>nllitutjon  of  government  happily  efta- 
"blidied  by  the  people,  and  which  we  never  mean 
to  part  wish,  vVhiie  we  can  defend  or  retain 
them,  we  proceed  to  lay  our  caufe  before  you. 
•^  \Vh  n  Mr.  John  Murray,  our  prefcnt  teacher 
IP  religious  matters,  had  been  invited  to  preach 
in  rhc  Mcelin^^-Houfe  of  the  firf*  Pari(h  in  Glo- 
"Ceder,  we  heard  him  vvith  an  increafing  pleafure, 
and  a  growing  fati  taLlion.  *  On  the  lettlement 
'df  Mr.  P\>rbes,  the  prefent  minifter  there,  we' 
^being  ob-igcd  to  with  hold  our  alTent  to  the  doc-^ 
trines  he  taught,  difagreed  to  his  lettlement. 
In  the  year  ijyQ^  we  affociated  for  the  pui^- 
pofe  of  public  worlhip,  by  a  covenant,  a  copy 

whereof 


[     5     1 

whereof  we  havecanfed  to  be  herewith  fubmit<' 
ted  to  the  public  eye,  "^  ''^*  / 

Though  weareunited  in  a  mode  of  wor(hip, 
and  a'  form  of  difcipline,  yet  in  our  t^flbciation,' 
we  have  cafrefi'illy  avoided  the  tftabli(hment  of 
it,  becaufc  we  are  fully  convinced  that  our  bleffed 
Redeemer  left  no  particular  form  to  his' follow-' 
drs,  but  fubmitted  all  to  their  own  wifdorti  and 
prudence.  '  We  conceive  that  a  voluntary  agree-  ' 
hicnf,  in  religious  matters,  ought  to 'be  departed 
from,  the  moment  the  individual  Avho  is  party 
to  it,  conceives  that  he  has  done  wrong  ;  and 
V^here  ihofe  religious  forms  have  been  ertablifh- 
ed  by  laws,  wfe  find  by  the  bcft  hiftory  of  Ec- 
clcfiaftical  matters,  that  they  have  only  tended 
to  fettet-  the  *  human  underllanding,  and  have 
been  the'  unhappy  means  of  lubftituting  the 
form  for  tht  lubftance' of  religion.  ' 

'  We^  did  not  in  our^greement,  aflbclatefor  the 
belief  of  any  "particular  tenets,  or  peculiar  doc- 
trines, becaufe  we  conceived  that  all  convictioa 
mud  rife  frdm  evidence  ration'ally  applied  to 
the  iinderft'andrng  5  and  We  could  not  fuppofe 
that  the  fame  evidence  would  ftrike  every  mind 
in  the  fociety  with  the  fame  force;  "Wc  there-  , 
fore  "concluded  that  confeffions  of  faith  with  us, 
flight  do  what  we  believe  they  have  done  in  o- 
thcr  iocreties,  where  thofe  of  human  invention 
have  been  introduced,  oblige  men,  either  to 
fubmit  their  faith  to  the  coniroul  of  others,  and 
believe  without  examining,  or  to  profefs  to  be- 
lifeve  that  which  they  have  never  fully  confidercd 
or  underftood.  With  that  humility  which  we 
£nd  inculcated  in  every  part  of  the  Gofpel,    wc 

humbly^ 


[    6     ] 

fiumbly  hoped,  that  it  would  be  fufficjcnt  for  us 
to  believe  the  Holy  Scriptures,  and  to  adopt 
the  fyftem  of  morals  therein  contained,  as  the 
rule  of  our  ConduB,  and  the  man  of  our  QounfeL 
We  readily  conceived,  that  when  our  mode  of 
worfhip,  or  the  dodlrines  taught  us  by  our  teach- 
ing Brother,  fhould  become  difagreeable  to  any 
one  of  our  brethren,  he  would  diffent  from  us 
and  join  himfelf  to  fome  other  (ociety. 

Upon  examining  the  matter  for  ourielves,we 
are  fully  convinced,  that  by  eftablilhlng  articles  of 
faith,  we  fhould  only  injure  ^he  caufe  of  religion, 
and  poffibly  might  lay  a  foundation  for  perlecu- 
.tion  in  a  future  day.  Very  foon  after  the  glori- 
ous doi?»rine  of  falvation  by  Jefus  Chrift,  was 
proclaimed  to  a  finful  world,  contentions,  anni- 
mofities,  hatred,  and  envy,  were  introduced  by 
uncharitable  and  incanded  men,  wlio,  proudly 
feeling  their  own  imaginary  infallibility,  could 
not  bear  that  any  one  fliould  diffent  from  their 
opinion.  So  bigotted  are  men  generally  to  their 
own  religious  opinions,  that  they  have  rarely 
failed  to  procure,  where  it  could  be  done,  the 
civil  authority,  to  compel  others  to  profefsa  be- 
lief of  their  tenets. 

Upon  the  converfion  of  Conftantine,  the  fjrft 
Roman  Emperor  who  embraced  Chriftianity,the 
civil  arm  v/as  extended  to  ellablilh  the  faith 
which  he  fuppofed  all  muft  hold,  becaufe  he  be- 
lieved. One  of  his  predeceflbrs,  though  an  hea- 
then, had  by  the  cdidt  of  Milan  eftablifhed  a 
liniverfal  toleration  to  Chriftians,  and  to  every 
denomination  of  religionifts  i  but  this  Chriftiati 
Emperor  at  once  violated  it.  And  to  ufe  the  lan- 

~ g^^S^ 


t    7     ] 

gliage   of  Mr.  Gibbons,   in  his  hiftory  of  that 
Prince,  **  The  grateful  applaufc   of    the  Clergy 
**  has  confecrated  the  memory  of  a  Prince  who 
**  indulged  their   paffions,  and  promoted   their 
**  interefl,    Conftantine     gave     them    fecurity^' 
**  wealth,   honou'rs  and    revenge  :  and  the  fup- 
*'  port  of  the  Orthodox  faith  was  confidered  as 
<*  the  moft  facred  and   important  duty  of  the 
<*  Civil   Magiftrate.     The^edid   of  Milan,  the 
•*  great  charter  of  toleration,  had  confirmed  to 
*'*  ea<:h    individual   of    the    Roman  world,    the 
**  priviledgc  of  choofing    and    profeffing  their 
**  own  religion;     But  this  ineftimabl^  priviledge 
**  was  foon  violated.     With  the  knowledge  of 
<«  truth,  ihe  Emperor  imbibed  the  maxims  of 
**  perfecution  ;    and  the  feels  which    diflented 
«'  from  the  Catholic  church,  'were  afflided  and 
**  oppreffed  by  the     triumph'  of   Chriftianity. 
"  Cpnftantine  eaffly  believed  that  the  Hereticks, 
**  who   prefumed  to  difpute  his  opinions,  or  to' 
**  oppofe  his    commands,  were    guilty   of  the 
«*  moft  abfurd  artd  criminal  obftinacy  ;  and  that 
*'  a  feafonable  application  of  moderate  feveritics 
**  might  fave  thofe  unhappy  men  from  danger 
**  ot  eVerlafting  condemnation.     Not  a  moment 
**  was  loft  in  excluding  minifters  and   teachers 
**   flihe  feparated  congregations  from  any  Ihare 
**  of  the  rewards  and  immunities   which    the 
•*  Emperor    had    fo  liberally  beftowcd    on  thd 
•*  Orthodox  clergy.     But  as  the  Sedariesmighc 
•*  ftill  exift  under   the  cloud  of   royal  difgrace, 
•'  the  conqueft  of  the  Eaft  was  immediaiely 
•*  followed  by  an  edid:  which  announced  their 
ll  total  dcftradion,     After  a    preamble  filled 

with 


CM 

?*  with  paffiqn  and  reproach,. Conftantincabfo- 
.*^  lutely  prohibiis  the  affemblies  of  ihe  Here,- 
••  tics,  and  confifcates   their  public  property  to 

V  the  ufe  cither  of  the  revenue,  or  of  the  Ca- 
y,   tholic  phurch.'*     ,     ^^  ,.    .t|,  ^   ,     ; 

;  The  Jewifli  Chritlians  of  Alexandria,  applied 
the  ideas  taught  in  the  (chool  of  PJato,  refpedl- 
ipg  the  t^ogos^  to  our  bleffed  Redeemer,;  w^here- 
Upon  the  i^rian  Chriftians  exerted  themfelvcs 
againft  what  they  called  a  dangerous  errpr,  and 
accufed  their  opponents  wi,th  adopting  th^  poly* 
theirm  of  the  fagans.  Hence  upon  a  myftery 
above  the  comprehenfion  of  the  human  under* 
ilanding,  arofe  a  contrpverfy  which  time  itfelf 
ca|n  never, fettle,  Conftantius  a  Roman  Empe* 
yol*,  had  by  a  decree  ordainfcd,  that  "  thofe  who 
•*  refufed  to ^  communicate  with  the  Ari^n  Bi- 
**ffhops,   and   particularly    with;  Macedonjus^ 

V  /hould  be  deprived  of  the  immunities  of  Ec- 
^* 'clc(5aftics,  and  the  rights  of  Chriftians.;  t^ey 
•*  were  compelled  to  relinquifti  the  pofTeflipns 
"  of  Churches  j  and  were  flri^Iy  prohibited 
*'  froni  holding  ^  theiif  affemblies  within  thfe 
.•^  wails  of  the  city.  The  execution  of  this  un» 
•*  juft  law,  i;i  the  provinces  of  Thrace^  and  Affia 
•'  Minor,  was  committed  to  the  zeal  of  Macedo- 
<«  nijs. — The  civil  and  military  power  ||(krerd 
•J  diredled  to  obey  his  commands,  and  the  cru- 
«*  cities  exercifcd  by  this  Semi-Arian  tyrant,  ia 
"  the  fupport  of  the  Homoioufwn,  exceeded  the 
^'  commiirion,  and  dilgraced  the  reign  of  Con* 
**  flantius.  The  laciaments  of  the  church  wcra 
•*  adminiftered  to  the  reludant  viflims,  whode-^ 
^'  nkd  the  vocation,  and  abhorred  the  princi-«» 

'^ ^  '        ■'  "     ""'   "  "'      pies 


*'  pies  of  Macedoniusl  The  righfs  o'f  bapttriif 
^'  were  conferred  on  wonien  and  children,  who,* 
•*  for  that  purpofe,  hid  been  torn  hdhi  ihie  ami^ 
*«  of  their  friends  and  parents  j  the  mouths  of 
*'  the  Communicants  wi^re  held  opert  by  a 
•*  wooden  engine;  while  the  <?of^fe^rated  breai 
**  was  forced  dowri  their  throats  ;  the  brcdftbof 
"  tender  Virgins  were  either  biirnt  with  red- 
**  hot  egs:  flielis,  or  inhunianly  conipiefled  bs- 
**  tvvcen  Iharf)  and  heavy  boards." 
^  Thbodosiits  oile  of  the  luccciTors  of  Con-*" 
(lantiiis,  declared  himfelf  on  the  fide  of  the^ 
Athanaiians,  he  vi'as  baptized,  and  as  he  ascend- 
ed fiom  the  water  he  proniulgated  his  aecree; 
*'  Itisour  plcafure,  that  iall  nations,  whicH 
**  are  governed  by  our  clemency^  ^nd  modjratic??^ 
*f  fliould  Itedfaftly  adhere  to  the  religion  whicti 
!*  wis  taught  by  Saint  Peter  to  the  Rohians; 
*«  which  fslithfbl  tradition  has  prelerved  ;  and 
**  which  is  now  profcffcd  bj^  the  pontiff  Dama- 
**  fus,  ^nd  by  Peter,  Biflidp  of  Alexandfia,  i 
**  rtiari  of  apoftolic  Holinefs  ;  according',  to  ihd 
**  difciplihe  of  the  apoftles,  and  the  cb(ffrin« 
"  bf  the  gdifpcl;  VtK  us  believe  the  fole  deity  of 
**  the  father,  the  fon,  and  the  holy  glioft  \  in- 
•*  dfcr  art  eq  lal  mij^ity,  and  a  pious  trinity.  IVi 
*•  authorize  the  followers  of  this  dodiiiic  to 
*'  affartie  the  title  of  CathsHc  chriHiam  ;  and  as 
**  Vfc  j^dge^  that  ill  others  are  extravagant  mad- 
**  men,  w^e  brand  them  With  the  irifarhous  name 
•*  of  Hcritlcs  ;  and  declare^  that  their  Con*venti^ 
**  cUi  fliall  ho  longet"  lifdrp  the  rcfpe^table  ap- 
**  pellation  of  churches  ^  bcfides  the  condem- 
**  nation  of  divine  juftice,  they  muft  cxpe(ft  to 
£t  ;:  lufFcj 


'*  fufFer  the  fevere  penalties,  which  our  auth'6- 
**  rity  guided  by   heavenly  wildom^  (hall  think 
•*  proper  to  inflidl  upon  them/*     It  can  be  no 
wonder  that  the  council  of  Neice,  by  a  majority 
of  voles  fettled    the  queftion  in  favour  of  the 
Emperor's  decree.     From  this  time,'  blood  and 
ilaughter,    perfecutions,   and  niurders  j  ftainedf 
every  decree  of  the  cabinet,  and   ferved  flill  to 
increafe  the  hatred,  and  widen   the  fentimcnts' 
of  the  parties  ^  until  a  remedy  more  dreadful 
than  the  difeafeitielf  took  place.    In  confequencc 
of  the  decree  of  Theodofius,  the  Roman  churchr 
affumed  the  appellations  of  Holy  and  Catholic^ 
and  arrogating  to  herfelt  the  power  of  infallibi- 
lity, being  alfa  a  national  churchy  and  having 
procured  within    h^r  coniroul,  the  whole  ven- 
gance  of  civil  government,  ihe  wrapt  the  whole 
world    in   a   cloud    of  impenetrable   darknefs^ 
debilitated   the  mind    of  man,  by    clofing    the 
door  of  free  enquiry,  and  gave  birth   to  eight 
hundred  years  of  ignorance,  and  barbarifm,  un- 
equalled by  any   preceding  time  ;  hence  arofc 
an  awful  chafm  in  the  hiftory  of  the  world,  and 
men  ceafed  to  think    becaufe   thinking  was  a 
crime. 

.^  In  the  fifteenth  century  the  fons  of  inquiry 
t)egan  to  think  for,  tbemfelves  :  they  thought, 
they  examined  and  decided  for  themfelves  upoa 
thefe  matters  which  refted  only  beiiween  their 
God,  and  their  own  confciences  :  but  this 
could  not  fail  to  awaken  that  horrid  monfter, 
perfecution,  for  the  church  aided  by  the  civil 
inagiftrate  held  the  (tandard  of  orthodoxy,  and 
the  only  meafure  of  faith,     Th^n  commenced 

xhdX 


[  II  1 

jhat  horrid  fcene  of  bloodlhcd  and  devafladon^' 
with  which  Europe  was  afflicled  until  the  year 
1688. 

It  would  have  been  very  happy  for  the  Bq- 
tifh  nation,  of  which  we  were  then  a  part,  if 
they  had  excluded  from  their  laws  all  eftabliflir 
rnent  of  forms  of  worfhip  ;  and  had  been  as 
tolerant  with  regard  to  articles  of  faith,  as  they 
were  refpcding  Church- government  :  but  the 
magiftratc  ftill  confidering  himfelf  the  guardian 
of  the  church,  and  "Ca^  dsfcnder  of  the  jaith^ 
not  only  eftablifhed  a  national  church,  but  by 
a(ft  of  parliartient  fettled  article^  pi  faith,  and 
inade  it  a  crime  iiot  to  believe  the  national  creed. 
Amongft  other  things  alike  exceptionable,  it 
was  enadled  at  that  time,  that  "  If  any  perfon 
**  educated  in  the  chriitiaq  religion  (hould,  by 
•*  writing,  printing,  teaching,  or  adviled  fpeak- 
**  ing,  deny  any  one  of  the  perjoni  in  the  holy 
**'  trinity  to  be  God^ox  fhould  maintain  that  there 
*'  are  more  Gods  than  one,^  he  (hould  for  the 
**  firft  offence  be  rendered  incapable  of  holding 
"  any  office,  and  for  the  fecond,  be  rendered  in- 
"  capable  of  bringing  any  adion,  or  buying 
•*  any  lands." 

Though  the  firfl  fettlers  of  this  State  fled 
from  perfecution,  yet  the  light  they  had  re- 
ceived was  by  no  means  fufficient  to  prevent 
their  embracing  thofe  principles,  which  cafts  a 
fliadc  over  fome  of  the  befl  characters  knowa  in 
that  age,  and  gives  their  hiftory  a  complexion 
of  intolerance  which  will  ever  be  lamented  by 
their  more  enlightened  poflerity.  But  when  tfte 
Charter  of  William  and  Mary  had  tolerated  all 

B  2  ions 


/ores  of  Chriftlans  cxceptins  Papifls,  ihe  gap* 
lifts,  and  Q^kers,  had  Iccurity  from  pcri^- 
cation.  -     -  '   .    '•  "'    ^'  •       '   V  -  .  V ' 

/  The  articles  qf  faith  commonly  called  the 
Platform,'  and  made  in  the  -year  1646,  haf 
ever  fliackled  the  freedom  of  the  people  iriNcw- 
Elngland  ;  but  bleffed  be  ^qd, 'the  liberty  noiv 
happily  eftabiiilied  by  ourCpnllitulion ,  has  given 
a  fa^l  ftab  to  ail  relii:,iou^  oppreflion'  in  this  ftate. 

. '    The  evil  which  wc  find  10  have  accrued  from 
the  eftalglilljmeat  of  creeds  of  humar^  invention, 
we  hope  will  inakc  us  fu]^c;ently  Cautions,  and 
prevent  or  iormidg  any  other  irpod^  of  cxpreflioa 
for  articles  of  faivh  than  i\\6  gofpd,"  in'its  owa 
language,  and  in  iK  own  forna  2  for  weconfidcr 
ihem  aS  mere  dcda6] ions  from 'i(^ads' which  do 
Appear  to  ionic,   but   may  *not  appear  to  others' 
Up  )n  the  cViVience  offeicci  in  ^hcir  fupport  ;  knd 
\vhile  we  arc    alTired  ?hat    the   fame  evidence 
which  iuily  convinces  one  mijid,  niay  leave' ai.o- 
ther  in  doubt  and  iincertiiiniy  -^  and  are  obliged 
to  acknowledge  froni  every  day's  experience, that 
thofe  dcdudions,  and  conclufion?,' which  appear 
in  the  highefl:  propriety  to  one,  may   itrike    the 
mind  of  another  as' a   grofs    i.bfurdity,    we  arc 
liumbly  contented  to  take  the  Golpel  as  the  rule 
of  our  lives,  and  to  prolcfs  to  believe  whatever 
is  therein  taui^ht,  as  a  divine  "rpvclation,  looking 
fordelivcriincc  irom  fin,'  and.;>uniflmicnt,in  the 
manner  therein  gracioiifly  provided. 

Wb  find  that  the  Sedts  of  Chrifuans  In  New- 

EnglanJl,  have  ever  been  dlftinguiflied  from  each 

ether  by    their  form   of  charcri-difcipline,    and 

tlicir  mode  of  adminiftering  of  the  ordinances  : 

' '  "^  "'""■'■'     the 


tbe  dodnnes,  or  articles  of  faiih,  held  by  all  b<^* 
iiig  as  nearly  fiinilar,  as  that  oi  individuals  in  the 
(ame  church  has  generally  been.  We  diftinguifh 
O'jrfelves  from  the  church  under  the  ihllrudtiqn 
of  Mr.  Faf^)cs,by  our*  not  tjfing  baptito  as  an  ex- 
ternal rite.  Though  thi.s  may  appear  to  lometo 
be  inconipaiiblc  wi'h  the  religion- we  prolefs, 
yet  it  beiii;>  a  ipartcr  reitins:  in  opinion  olIv,  wo 
know  not  wii'y  We  iliouUi  be' condemned,  while 
the  C^jakcis  mtct  the  ffnilcSof  government,and 
while- nuny  others  vybo  o^ni^t  the  ordinance 
through  inattention,  or^-a  total  difregard  to  aill 
relii^ion,  have  the  tayours  of'  the  ftatc.  We 
differ  froni  t1iat  church  alfo  irt  our  mode  of  dif- 
cipline,  being  Independent s^  holding  as  the  fird 
church  in  {^^^^Q'^  and  n^any  other  churches  in 
in  the  ftatc  originally  held,  that  "  all  ecclefiafti- 
**  cal  jurifdidtipn  is  committed  by  Chrift  to  each 
**  organical  church,  from  w  hich; there  is  no  ap- 
*'  peal  ;  vilible  iaintfliip  being  the  matter,  and 
**  cjiprefs  covenanting  the  ^orm." -f- 

**  Ordination  weaccount  nothing  clfebut 
**  the  folen^n  puiting  ^  mart  into  his  place  and 
*'  office  in  the  church,  whereunto  he  hath  a 
"  right  before  by  eleftion,  the  effence  and  fu^- 
**  ftance  of  the  outward  calling  of  an  ordinary 
"  officer  in  the  church,  4oth  riot  conlift  in  or- 
'  *  dination,  but  in  his  voluntary  and  free  eleiflioti 
"  by  the  church,  and  his  accepting  of  that  elec- 
"  tion  ;  whereupon  is  founded  that  relation  be- 
*'  tween  paftorand  flock,  between  fuch  a  mini- 
l[  fler  and  fuch  a  peopU.     Ordination  doth  not 

"  conllitutQ 


\  Governor  B*llinoKim*<  xn\\\  maH*  ;. 


[Hi 

f<  conftitute  an  officer,  nor  give  him  the  eflen- 
**  tials  of  hi9  office  ;  the  apoftles  were  elders 
^*  without  impofition  of  hands  by  men/'  Plat- 
form,chap.  9,      '  '    ' ' 

This  was  the  fenfe  of  the  country  at  that 
time,  and  it  was  fo  prevalent,  that  although  the 
Platform  was  obtained,  yet  it  could  not  be  done 
without  preferving  thefe  fentiments.  *.  But  as  the 
word  Ordain,  fignifies  no  more  than  to  appoint,, 
we  conceive  that  the  eledion,and(  not  the  laying 
on  of  hands,  makes  the  Ordination  compleat. 
See  fixth  and  thirteenth  chapters  of  Adls. 

Notwithstanding  tliis,  we  have  been, and 
yet  are  taxed  to  the  fupport  of  Mr.  Forbes,  and 
our  property  is  taken  and  expofed  at  auftion  to 
raife  money  for  the  fupport  of  a  form  of  worHiip 
in  which  we  can  never  join,  and  for  the  fupport 
of  teaching  by  which  we  can  have  no  inftrudlion. 
Were  we  not  thus  oppreffed,  we  fhould  have 
been  very  contented  to  have  enjoyed  in  filence, 
that  liberty  which  wc'feelourfeives  intitled  toas 
Free  Citizens  of  this  Commonwealth,  always 
refolving  to  yield  that  obedience  to  government, 
which  is  due  from  good  fubjcdls  to  a  ftate,  that 
proteds  them  in  the  enjoyment  of  their  deareft; 
rights.  •    . 

Wis  were  advifed,  that  our  fiiaatipn  was  fuch, 
as  precluded  all  other  relief  from  the  oppreffion 
we  complain  of,  otherwife  than  by  an  adion 
brought  in  the  name  of  our  teacher  to  recover 
the  money  taken  from  us  for  the  fupport  of  a 
public  teacher  of  religion,  piety,  and  morality. 
He  was  very  unwilling  to  have  an  adion  brought 
in  his  name  ;  but  upon  our  reprefenting   the 

cruelty 


^ 


f     15    ] 

cruelty  of  thofe  who  took  this  advantage  of  us  i 
and  the  hardfhip  of  his  not  confenting  to  the  only 
relief  we  could  have,  he  gave  his  confent,  . 

The  action  which  wc  inftitated  was  tried  at 
the  Supreme  Judicial  Court,  held  at  Ipfwich  iri 
June  1785,  when  a  verdidt  was  given  in  our  fa- 
vour, *  Had  we  no  other  motive  than  the  fav-*' 
ing  of  our  money,  we  fhould  have  been  more  in 
our  own  interefl:  by  paying   quietly  to  the  fup- 
port  of  Mr.  Foibes,  than  wc  have  been  in  build- 
ing a  houfc  for  public  worfhip,    lupporting  a 
teacher  amongil  ourfelves,  and  by  engaging  in  st 
troublefome  and  expenffve  lawfuit.     But  hold- 
ing the  rights  of  confcience  as  fuperior  to  every 
other   conftderation,    we  have   perfevered,  and 
ftill  intend  to  perfevere,  not  doubting   that  our 
countrymen  will  do  us  the  juftice  of  lecuring   to 
us  that  freedom  wherein  we  have  reafon  to  re- 
joice under  the  prefent  government,  *' 
As  the  principles  agitated  \n  the  trial   of  tne 
caiifeaboVe- mentioned,  and  the  obje^I^ions  made 
againfl:  us,  apply   themfelvcs  equally  to  Epifco- 
palians,    Baptifts,  Quakers,  Sandamanians,  and 
Independents,   and     to   every  denomination  o( 
Chriftians  whofe   fociety   is   not   defcribed  and 
known  by  town  or  parifh  lines,  or  by  a  particu** 
lar  adk  of  incorporation,  we  think  it  our  duty  to 
give  the  public  our  remarks  and  obfervation  up- 
on them.     In  doing  this, though  we  fiiould  (hew 
a  diffent  from  the  opinion  of  fome  gentlemen  o£ 
great  learning  and  ability,  and  perhaps  from  fomo 

gentlemen 


•  The  Couufcl?  Mr.  Sullivan,  |  Mr.  Bradbury,  C  For  ihe 
foiriJiie?UQtiff.>Mr.  Tudor,    {Mr.  Farfoas,    t^^ciead'to 


i  16  j 


gehticmen  of  high  civil  rank  in  the  fta*c  •  and 
though  we  ihall  Ipeak  with  the  confidence  be- 
coming men  who  realize  their  conllitutional 
freedom  ;  yet  we  (hall  do  it  with  all  that  defcr- 
tncCy  and  refpcfl,  which  wc  owe  to  the  charac- 
ters of  great  and  good  men,  who  may  have  been 
oppofed  to  our  opinion.  Whether  they  or  wc 
ire  right,  wc  fubmit  to  the  public.  ^    _- 

Th£  third  article  in  the  declaration  of  rights, 
provides,  that  *V  all  monies  paid  by  the  fubjedf 
to  the  fupport  of  public  worihip,  and  of  the 
public  teachers  aforcfaid,  (hall,  if  he  reqjuirc 
it,  be  uniformly  applied  to  the  fupport  of  the 
public  teacher  or  teachers  of  his  own  religious 
fedl  of  denomlnatioh,  provided  there  be  any 
**  on  whdfe  inftruflions  he  attends  •  otherwife 
«*  iC  may  be  paid  tovvards  the  fupport  of  the 
**  teacher  Or  tea:cher$  of  th'cparifli  in  which  the 
"  money  is  raifed."  For  the  rcafons  before- 
foencioned,  weconfidcrourfclves  a  S<fS  diBcrent 
Irocfi  thofe  who  stttend  upon  the  miniilry  of  Mr. 
Forbes ;  and  we  therefore  are  of  opinion,  that  the 
money  raifed  upon  us  ought  to  be  applied  to  thcf 
lupport  of  the  teacher  of  dur  own  religious  fedt^ 
there  being  one  on  vvhofe  inftrudtions  we  attend. 
But  it  was  objeded  that  the  teacher  \v^o  is  in- 
litled  to  receive  the  money  paid  by  his  hearers^ 
muft  be  a  teacher  of  piety,  religion  and  morali- 
ty :  this  we  concede,  but  we  are  not  continccd 
that  the  queftion,  whether  he  is  a  teacher  of 
{)iety,  religion,  and  morality,  can  be  determined 
from  a  revifion  of  the  motives  he  offers  as  to  tho 
rewards  and  the  punifhments  which  are  to  bo 
bcftowcd  or    infliiled  in  another  world.     Wc 


I  '7  i 


V,  J  ; 


Relieve  that  the  qnertion  mud  be  decided  by  the 
evidence  of  his  urging  the  people  to  piety  and 
morality,  as  the  foundation  of  the  greateft  good 
which  their  natures  arc  capable  of,  And  as  aconi* 
pliancc  with  the  will  of  their  alniiiiKty  Creator 
and  prcferver,  without  going  into  an  inquiry  of 
his  opinion  refpeoting  the  Quantity  of  jiuniih- 
inent  in  a   future  ftate.    ,..,.,. 

That  God  will  punifll  men  for  fin,  m 
luch  a  manner  as  will  far  over- balance  the 
pleafures  which  can  be  derived  from  vice  in  this 
worldjis  fo  clearly  pointed  out  in  the  goipel,that 
we  are  compelled  to  believe  it  •  but  whether  the 
opinion  of  fome  learned  and  good  men;  who  ima- 
gine that  the  wicked  will  be  annihilated  jor  whe- 
ther that  of  the  learned  Dbdtor  Chauncy^  Dodor 
Prieftly,  and  many  others,who  believe  that  there 
Is  a  temporary  hell  prepared  for  the  ungodly, 
^hich  is  arioihef  ftate  of  probation,  or  any  other 
opinion  refpe6ting  that  (ubjedl  is  befl,  every  one 
teuft  determine  for   hiniieff.     Neither  flatutes, 

}>enalties  or  rewards;  can  force,  or  allure,  a  man 
o  confent  to  the  truth  oi  a  f>ropofiLion,  without 
fuffic?ent  evidence  received  by  a  mind  capable  ot 
ixamiri?ng,'  and  applying  of  it. 

The  idea,  that  it  is  neceflary  to  the  good  or- 
der of  civil  government,  that  the  Teachers  o( 
Religion  fhould  thunder  out  the  dodrinc  of  c- 
i^erUfting  puniihment,  to  deter  men  from  atro- 
Cfous  crimes,  which  they  rhay  otherwife  commit 
ih  fecret,  has  long  been  hackneyed  in  the  hands 
of  rtien  in  power  ;  but  without  auy  warrant  troni 
reafon,  or  revelation  for  doing  of  it  :  for  rcafod 
ftfclf,  without  the  aid  of  revelation,  gave  no  in» 

e         --  timafimi 


[     i8     ] 

tlmation  of  a  ftatc  of  retribution  ;  it  was  the 
Golpcl  which  brought  life,  and  immortality  to 
light.  God,  k\  the  civil  conftituiion  which  he 
was  plcafed  to  form  for  the  Jews,  ftrongly  pro- 
hibited murder,  perjury,  adultery,  and  many 
other  crimes  which  men  might  then  commit  ia 
fecret  ;  but  never  in  any  one  inltance,  gave  aa 
intimation,  that  the  ]^\^'S  (hould  be  panifhed  in 
anochcr  world  for  iheir  crime*  in  thi?.  Had  a 
threatning  of  that  nature  been  neceffary  to  the 
fupport  of  civil  government,  V7e  might  with 
great  propriety  look  for  ii  there.  It  was  not  till* 
the  Chriftian  Church  was  illegally  weded  to 
ftate-policy,  that  men  in  power  dared  to  hurl 
the  Thunders  of  the  Moft  High  at  thofe  who 
offended  againft  government  ;  and  even  then, 
niodefty  forbid  it,  only  as  they  arrogantly  pre- 
tended to  do  it  for  the  honor  of  God,  and  the 
advantage  of  religion. 

But  fliould  the  point  be  maintained,  thai 
courts  and  ]uries,are  auihorifed  to  determine  whc^ 
ther  the  teacher  of  a  religious  led,  is  a  teacher  of 
inorality  from  his  opinion,  either  of  the  caufc,- 
mode,  or  ftate  of  men's  happinefs  or  mifery  ia 
another  world,  or  from  his  opinion  of  the  nature, 
or  proportion  of  the  rewards  for  virtue,  or  the 
punifhmcnt  for  vice  there,  no  fedl  or  denomina- 
tion could  be  fafe  ;  it  being  a  matter  refting  in 
opinion  only,  wiihout  any  earthly  tribunal  hav- 
ing the  ability  or  authority  to  fettle  the  queftion, 
Suppofc  an  Epifcopalian  teacher  fhould  have 
an  adtion  in  his  name  to  recover  the  money  paid 
by  his  hearers  ;  perhaps  he  might  be  one  who 
fiad  fubfcribed,   and  fworn   to  the  thirty-nine 

articles, 


r  19  ] 

firticles,  the  truth  of  which  is  well  fupported  by 
a5i  of  parliament  :  an  objection  might  be  made 
from  one  of  the  articles,  that  leils  us,  God  from 
all  eternity  clewed  a  certain  number  to  happi- 
nefs,  and  prcdeftinated  all  the  reft  of  the  human 
race  to  evcrlafting  i^iifery  ;  and  this  of  his  own 
(overeign  will,  without  any  regard  to  the  merit 
of  the  one,  or  the  demerit  of  the  others,  A 
jury  might  be  found  who  would  decide  at  once, 
that  this  dodtrine  is  fubverfive  of  all  morality^ 
and  good  order  ;  for  if  the  ftate  of  every  m^n  is 
unalterably  fixed  from  all  eternity,  and  nothing 
done  by  him  can  in  any  wile  change  the 
divine  decree,  he  had  better  eat,  drink,  and 
be  merry,  and  indulge  himfelf  in  all  that  can 
give  him  fenfual  pleafure.  The  argument  is 
equally  (Irong  againft  all  Cajvinifts,  and  in  ap- 
pearance ftrongcr  againft  Hopkintonians,  Ed- 
wardians,  and  all  other  Fatalifts.  But  fhould  a 
fober  Arminian  be  in  trial,  and  it  appeared  that 
he  taught  his  people,  that  it  was  within  their 
own  power  to  procure  future  happpinefs  by  their 
virtue  and  gooJnefs,  and  that  God  would  punifli 
thern  in  another  world  for  thofe  crimes  which 
they  were  under  no  necefHty  to  commit  in  this  j 
that  this  is  a  ftate  of  probation  wherein  it  is  in 
their  power  to  lay  the  foundation  of  everlafting 
happinefs ;  a  jury  might  not  be  able  to  diftioguifli 
between  the  prefcicnce,  and  the  fore- ordination 
of  God  J  and  it  might  be  called  impiety  to  al- 
ledge,  that  the  infinitely  wife  Being  did  not  from 
all  eternity  know  the  ultimate  faie.and  final  end, 
of  all  his  creatures  :  it  would  at  Icaft  be  called 
derogatory  to  the  honor  ot  the  Moft  High,  to 
C  a '  iuppofc 


(uppofc  any  thing  to  be  contingent  with  5;ilrn  5 
arid  therefore  a  Teacher  of  fuch  principles  rnignt' 
in  the  eye  of  fome  pcrfons,  be  viewed  as  aTeachV 
cr  of  impiety  and  immorality.   ' 

We  neither  undertake  to  fupport  or  condemj> 
any  oi  the  tenets  we  have  alluded  to,  for  we  iup- 
pole  that  every  good  man,  let  his  involuntary  er- 
rors be  multiplied  as  they  may,  will  be  in  the. 
favour  of  God.  ^  But  we  reafon  in  this  manner 
to  fliew  the  i'mpradicability  of  deciding  upon 
the  tiiorality  of  a  teacher  from  his  opinion  of 
thofe  matters  ;  When  all  opinions  muft  depend 
lipoii  nicn's  conftrudion  of  the '  moft  holy 
vvord  of  God,  as  revealed  ia  the  fcripturcs.'  Wie 
vvill  only  add  here,  that  if  the  courts  of  law  ia 
this  State  are  to  go  into  an  inquiry  of  this  kind^ 
the  confcience  of  >he  judges  will  be  the  ftandara 
of  religious  fentimcnt,  and  the  only  incjuiry  up- 
on matters  of  faith  will  be^  Vyhat  was  the  opi- 
nion of  the  court  in  the  laft  trial  f  It  would 
moft  certainly  be  better  to  have  the  articles  ojf 
faiih  fettled  by  an  aft  of  the  legiflatnrc  at  once, 

AroTHER  objedion  railed  againft  us  in  the 
abovementioncd  trial  was  as  unexpeded  as  it 
Was  alarming  to  us.  It  was  that  no  teacher  of  reli- 
gion, piety,  and  morality,  could  have  a  right  to 
recover  the  money  paid  by  his  fed  in  the  (up- 
port  of  public  teaching,  and  to '  the  "fupport  ci 
public  worfhip,  unlefs  the  perfon  demanding  ct 
It  is  the  teacher  of  a  town,  parifh,  precind,  or  a 
focicty  legally  organized,  and  verted  with  civil 
and  corporate  powers.  Or  in  other  words ;  that 
the  people  of  no  left  of  Proteftant  chriftians  can 
have  the  money  paid  by  them  ia  fupport  of  pub^ 


lie  tcaphing  of  piety,  religion,  and  monVity^ 
applied  to  the  fupport  ot  the  teacher  of  their  own 
('eel,  on  whofe  teachings  and  inftrudtions  thejr 
attend,,  unlefs  ihcir  teacher  iii  the  lettled  minift<c 
pfaparilh  ;  or  unle(§  they  arc  a  fociety  yeft^ 
by  the  legiQature  with  corporate  powers.'  This 
we  take  to  be  ^  fair  ftate  of  the  objeflion  as 
made  in  tlie  trial  of  our  cau(e  j  and  we  feel  out;'* 
fclves  obliged  Rot  only  for.  our  own,  but  for  the 
(ccurity  of  every  denon^i.natiorv  of  chriftians,  not 
known  and  delqribe^  by  pariih  lines,  to  examine 
^hcqueftion  wjih  fairnefs  and  candcxir.  That 
pur  reafoning  may  be  (Libje(fi:  to  a  fair  invcftigaii- 
on,  we  caufe  the  two  articles  whereon  we  rely, 
to  be  pjinted  in  ^be  appendix.  Though  we  car^ 
cafily  conceive,  that  through  the  malicious 
mifrcprefenUtionsofQur  enemies,  luch  prejudi- 
ces ?vre  raifcd  again  ft  us,  that  even  fome  good 
men  may  be  ready  to  exchange  their  own  religi- 
ous liberty  for  our  dcrtrudion  ;  yet  when  we 
confider,  that  the  good  (enfe  of  this  people  will 
(liew  them  clearly,  that  a  wrong  judgment  noMT 
given  againft  us,  may  end  in  the  perfecuiion  of 
^hofe  who  now  feel  the  greateft  fecurity  ;  we 
have  reafon  to  hope  wc  (hall  be  heard,  with  pa- 
tience and  candour. 

Thb  fmall  and  trifling  ohjeflion,  that  we 
V  have  no  name  or  appellation  of  Proteftant 
"  Chriftians,".  hardly  dcferves  notice.  Yet  thus 
much  we  fay,  that  we  call  ourfelves  Indepen* 
dints  y  an  appellation  which  was  very  honorable 
in  the  country  until  the  Civil  Government  had 
begotten,  and  the  Church  had  brought  forth  the 
^ca  of   lyr-ods  and  confocidtipns  oi  churches  > 

ihcreb^ 


t  =?  1 

^hereby  making  an  unfavory  mixture  of  politic! 
ftnd  religion,  for  the  purpofe,  as  ihey  afFedled  ro 
believe,  of  keeping  religion  pure  and  undefited,  ♦ 
there  has  been  no  denomination  of  religionifts, 
but  who  have  had  the  honor  ot  receivin;^  their 
appellation  from  their  enemies  :  havini;  it  at 
firft  applied  by  way  of  reproach,  but  becoming 
honorable  as  their  iciSi  grew  numerous  and  im- 
portant ;  amongft  thele  arctheGallileans,  Chril- 
tians,  Lutherans,  Calvinifts,  Proieftants,  Qua- 
kers, Baptifts,  and  Diflenters.  And  ve  arc 
humbly  contented  that  our  enemies,  if  they 
do  not  like  the  name  of  hdcpenuenti,  dial  I  call 
us  what  they  pleafe, — But  we  proceed  to  confi- 
dcr  the  objedlion. 

If  the  objedtion  above  ftaied  has  a  foundation 
which  can  fupport  it  againft  a  careful  examina- 
tion, then  all  that  fecurity  to  the  rights  of  con- 
fcience,  all  that  equality  in  the  feveral  fedls  and 
denominations  of  Chriftians,  and  that  ftrong  bar- 
lier  againft  oppreflion  in  religious  matters,  u  hich 
the  people  thought  they  had  eftabliihed  by  their 
conllitution  of  civil  government  j  has  upon  the 
very  firft  juridical  examination,  been  found  to 
be  vifionaryand  dclufive  ;  the  language  ufcd  by 
the  compilers  of  the  Form  ofGovernment,is  not 
accompanied  with  thofe  ideas  which  have  been 
affociated  with  it  in  all  other  cafes :  but  the 
people  have  been  amufed  by  the  chicane  of 
doubtful  cxpreftion,  and  inftead  of  fomething 
permanent    and    fubftantial,    have   believed   a 

dream 


%  See  the  Plitfivrm,  where  the  roagiftraic  ii  to  fee  tLc  de*; 
creu  of  the  coiaciJ  carried  lAto  cxccuiioji. 


t  n    ] 

dream,  and  embraced  a  fhadow.  But  if  the 
words  ufed  in  the  third  article  in  the  Declaration 
of  Rights,  have  the  {ame  meaning  there,  as  they 
have  in  other  places,  we  have  no  difficulty  arif« 
ing  from  the  objcdion  under  confideration, 

Tne:  conrtruction  of  thefe  words  will  depend 
much  upon  the  meaning  of  the  word  Se£i  ;  the 
money  is  to  be  applied,  to  the  fupport   of  the 
teacher  of  his  own  .S><!:7.— Therefore  it  will  be 
neceffary  to  have  a  precife  nieaning  to  that  word. 
Sect  A,  from  the  vcrbfeco,   to  ciit  oflFor  af* 
funder,  to  rend  apart,  or  divide,  was  ufed  by  the 
Romans  to  ej^prefs  a  kind  of  people  of  a  differ- 
ent profeffion,  a    party  or  faftion.     In  all  coun- 
tries where  there  is  a  church   cftablrfbed  by  laviT 
as  th6  national  church,  tho(e  who  diffent  front 
it  are  called  Sg5iaries  ;   as   all   in  England   who 
are  rtot  Epifcopalians  are  called  Schilmatics  and 
Se6laries,  rn  this  State  there  has  been  no  church 
cflabliQied  fince  the  charter  of  1692,  and  there* 
fore  the  word  Se6l  muft  have  a  meaning  here  in 
fomeway  difFerent   from   what   it  has  in    thofo 
countries  where  churches  are  eftablifhed  by  la\^. 
With  us  it  undoubtedly  includes   and   defcribcaf 
thole  perions  who  drffent  from    legal    eflablifh- 
ments   which    are    inftituted  for   religious  pur-; 
pofes. 
**      TrtE    laws   of  the  State   provide,  that  each 
town  not  divided  into  parifhes,  and  each  precindt 
and  parifh,  ftiall  be  obliged  to  fettle  and  fupport 
a  gofpel  minifter,  to  whofe  fettlement,    fupport 
and  maintainance  all  the  perfons  and  eflates  with- 
in the  parifti,  fhall  contribute  by  taxes  duly  and 
legally  affeffed  ^  and  all  thofe  within  the  town 
~ "         "         ~         or 


t  h  j 

Sf  parifli,  whether  they  are  Epifcopalians;  Eap* 
tifts,  or  Qiiak^^TS,  or  whatever  t]{e  they  mniy  be 
called,  who  diiTcnt  frorri  the  riiinifter  thus  legaU 
ly  fettled;  and  the  mode  of  wor(hif»  agreed  updil 
by  the  majority,*  are  !Se3dHei.  Nay,  even  con- 
gregatiohalifts  when  the  majority  of  the  parifli 
Chufes  a  Prefbyterian  form  of  wdrfhip,  may 
be  a  Se3,  That  this  has  been  the  idea  6f 
«  Sedil  in  this  Stkte  from  the  time  of  the  firft  legal 
cftabh'(hment  of  locil  reh'gious  locieties  by  parifh 
and  prccindt  lines,  we  fubmit  to  oaf  Country- 
men..  And  we  cannot  but  believe;  that  it  was 
ijfed  iti  this  fenfe  by  the  compilers  of  the  Con-* 
ftitciion,  3(nd  conveyed  this  idea  ro  the  people 
when  they  cftabliilied  their  Form  of  Govern- 
ment: ^  It  could  not  be  confined  in  its  meaning 
to  the  Sefts  only  which  ctxdtd  at  (ha((  tirfic,  as 
fbm'e  intolerant  and  bigoted  men  have  fuppofed; 
but  extended  to  all  which  might  arife  thereafter; 
for  the  Convention  could  not  be  vain  enough  tb' 
iuppofc,  that  all  inquiry  upon  religious  matters 
were  at  an  end,nor  ill-natured  enough  to  Wiih  to' 
exclude  the  further  inveftigatioh  of  truth*.  Thii 
does  not  however,  (o  much  concern  us;  for  w^ 
had  afTociated  before  theConftitution  was  formed; 
.  ^  TAKrrN^  the  word  SeB;  to  mean  as  we  havd 
above  explained  it,  we  fhall  take  it  with  os  inf 
that  meaning,  while  we  give  our  conftru<^tJc^ 
of  the  third  article  in  the  declaration  of  fights; 
And  we  find  it  ncccfTary  as  the  hiftory  of  this' 
important  article  is  frelli  in  the  minds  of  our  fel- 
low citizens  to  go  a  little  into  it  :  indeed  agef 
J  ret  to  come,  may,  and  undoubtedly  will,  col- 
edl  the  famic  hiftory   from  the  arrangement  of 

^  ideas, 


\  '}  i 


\ 


M. 


Mcas,  and  the  mode  of  cxprcflion,  ufed  in  thS 
firticic,  which  the  people  are  now  able  to  give 
from  their  memory. 

The  fecond  article  iii  the  above-tnentioned 
declaration  provides,  that^  as  it  is;  as  wc!l  the 
duty;  as  the  light  of  all  men  in  civil  fociety,  to 
worfhip  the  fupreme  Beings  ho  fubjcof  (hall  bo 
hurt,  molcrted,  cr  reftained  in  his  liberty,  or 
(cftate,  for  word^iipping  God  in  the  nianneri  and 
fcafon,  m.oll  agreeable  to  the  dicktes  of  his  own 
Iconfcience  ;  or  for  his  religious  profefiioh  or  fen- 
timents  »  provided  he  doch  not  difturbthe  pub- 
lic peace,  or  obftruc!:  others  In  their  religious 
ivorfhip.  The  ideas  in  this  article  v/tre  taken 
from  Mr.  Locke's  letters  on  toleration,  wherein 
that  great  man  proves  from  reafon  and  fcripture,!^ 
that  religion  is  at  all  times  a  matter  betvtreen  each 
individual  and  his  God  ;  and  that  no  riian  has  a 
tight  to  dictate  a  mcfde  of  worfliip  to  another  : 
hor  can  derive  any  authority  to  obftrudl  another 
in  his  way  of  worfhip;  That  each  man  ma/i 
and  oiig'htto  enjoy  his  own  mode^  bnt  may  not 
facrifice  the  life  of  another,  bccaufe  this  is  an  in- 
jury to  a  perfon  who  ftands  on  a  perfedl  equality 
with  himfelt.  He  cannot  offer  to  his  God  tho 
jtaM  of  another,  becaufe  it  would  be  robbing  hinl 

his  property  •  but  he  may  facrifice  his  own 
Ealf  or  lamb  in  his  own  way,  and  no  one  hasaa- 
ihority  to  prohibit  it. 

It  wa§  on  the  o'tie  hand  thought  neceflary  id 
hiake  provifion  for  the  iupport  of  public  wor- 
fliip, and  of  the  public  teachers  of  piety,rcligion 
and  morality,  for.  tfce  ^ak^  of  making  men  better 
citizens,  and  better  members  of  the  Gommon- 
.         ^-    .  ^,  _.     "wealth  I 


■        t     26     1 

Vcakh  ;  v/hiie  On  the  other,  it  waS  ftrcnuoirftf 

Infifted  upon,  that  provifion  ihould  be  made  for 

liberty  of  confcience,  and  exprefs  and  ample  ie- 

curity  given  aa;ainn:  oppreflion  in  matters  of  rc- 

Jigion.     In  this  all  agreed,  for  the  Baptifts,Qja- 

Jcers,  &c.  had  depended  for  fecurity  from  perfe- 

cation  upon  a  charter  which  was  by  the  New- 

Conftitution  done  away,  and  upon  laws  to  lecure 

them. from  oppreffion,  which  might  be  repealed 

by  thelegiflature  at  pleafure. 

This  article  v/as  a  mere  matter  of  negociatioa 
between   parlies  j  and   unlefs  fome    permanent 
meafure  could  be  contrived,   which  could  fecure 
the  fedtaries  againft  being  compelled  to  contribute 
to  the  fupport  of  teachers  whom  they  could  ne- 
ver hear,  and  to  the  building  of  houles  for  public 
wor(hip  which  they  could  never  vifit,  there  wai 
but  little  hope  of  having  the  new  form  of  govern- 
.  ment  eftabliflied  :  for  the  number  of  feitaries  in 
the  ftate,  joined  in  the  oppofition  with  thofCjWho 
would  oppofe  all  forms  of  government  predicated 
upon  republican  principles,  would  have  turned  a 
large  majority  againft    the  conftitution.     It  was 
urged  however,  that  there  was  not  one  fociety 
amongft  the  fedtaries  which  had  corporate  povv- 
.  ers,  or  were  capable  of  making,  or  compelling  a 
tax  ;    and  therefore,  to  provide  that  they  ^o||j| 
not  be  taxed  by  the   pari(h   where  they  lived, 
would  be  bidding  a   premium  upon    becoming 
fedtarie?,  and  offering  a  reward  for  the  neglect 
of  pub|ic  worlliip.     As  the  mealure  under  con- 
fidcration  was  intended   only  for  civil  purpofes, 
and  all  religious  i^tas  rpfpeihing  the  ftate  of  the 
individual  in  another  world,   were  difclaimed, 
■     "  ■        the 


[     27     ] 

jhc  force  of  the  rcafoning  was  felt  ;  and  it  waj 
agreed,  that  *'  all  monies  paid  by  the  fubjedt  to 
■^'  the  fupport  of  public  vvorfliip,  and  of  the 
"  public  teacher i  aforefaid^  fliould,  if  he  require 
**  it,  be  uniformly  applied  to  the  fupport  of  the 
^*  public  teacher,  or  teachers,  of  his  own  religi- 
ous fe(fl,  or  denomination  ;  provided  there  bo 
any  on  whofe  inflru6tions  he  attends  ;  other- 
wife  it  may  be  paid  to  the  fupport  of  the 
teacher,  or  teachers,  of  the  pariHi,  or  precindt, 
V  in  which  faid  monies  are  raifed." 

By  thisprovifion,  all  fec^^aries  were  obliged  to 
contribute  their  proportion  to  the  fupport  of 
public  worfliip,  as  an  inflitution  defigned  to  e- 
ftabli/h  the  intcreft,  and  procure  the  fafety  of 
the  Commonwealth.  But  **  every  chriftian  de- 
"  meaning  himfelf  peaceably,  was  to  be  equally 
**  under  the  protection  ot  the  laws,  and  no  fub- 
^'  ordination  of  any  one  SeB,  or  denominatioa 
**  to  another,was  ever  to  be  eftablifhed  by  law/' 
Therefore  it  was  but  juft  that  the-money  *'  paid 
**  by  tbejubje5i,''  /hou^d  beuuiiotmly  applied  to 
the  teacher  of  his  own  religious  fc<ft  or  denomw 
nation,  it  he  had  fuch  a  teacher  on  whofe  in- 
ftrudions  he  attended  ;  let  him  be  either  a  tea- 
cher of  a  corporate  fociety,  vefled  by  the  legifla^- 
ture  with  civil  powers,  as  a  company  holding  2 
common  cRate,  and  then  in  a  legal  idea  a  deno- 
mination, or  of  a  number  of  perlons  not  defcrib*- 
ed  by  parilh-lines  nor  holding  property  in  comii* 
mon  as  proprietors,  and  empowered  by  law  to 
manage  and  difpofeof  it,  but  made  up  of  a  coU 
leotioD  from  parifhes  and  precincts,  aad  there- 
fore called  a  Se^i 

V  z  But 


f  *«   } 

Byr  It  Is  (aid  that  the.  teacher,  to  whofe  fup^- 
jport  the  money  is  to  h^  applied,  muft  be  a  teach-: 
cr  ot  a  lociety  vcftcci  vvith  corporate  powers, 
becaufe  that  V.all  monies  paid  Ipy  the  fuhje(5t  for 

V  the  fupport  of  the  teachers  afcrefaU^  is  to  be 

V  applied,  &c.V.     That  this  expreffion'  teacher i. 
ciorejoid^  refers  tp.  teachers  of  parifl:ies  and  foci- 
^tks  with  corporate  powers,  we  grant.    Bat  ftill 
it  does  not   fupport  the  cbjeitlon.     The  article 
pnder  confideranon  provides,  that  the  legiflaturc. 
fhall  have  the  power  to  authorife  and  require  the 
leveral  towns,  parifhc?,  precinds,  and  other  bo- 
dies  politick,  and  religious  iocietics,  to  make, 
proyifion  at  their  own  expence,  for  the  fupport 
of  pablic  wprfhip  j  and  w?  concede  tl^at  there  is 
no  way  for  a  legiflature  to  compel  a  mere  itdi  to. 
make  fuch  provifion  ;  for  they  ace  neither  capa*- 
ble  of  adting,  nor  ca.n  they  be  difcerned  by  the 
legiilative  eye' ;  and  yet  they  have  a   right  indi- 
vidually to  protedion  from  religious  oppreflion. 
Here  we  grant   ail   the   facts  which  our  oppo- 
nents have  afferted  »  but  we  totally  deny  the  Con- 
clufions  which  they  pretend  tp  make  :.  for  tho' 
the  pari/li  has  a  right  to  tax  the  fe<ftary  towards 
the  fupport  of  a  public  teacher,  and   thereby  to 
compel  him  to  contribute   of  his   fubftance  to- 
wards a  meafure  intended  fpr  the  benefit  of  thci^ 
ilate  ;  yet  we  fay,  that  the  money  is  to  be  ap- 
plied to  the  fupport  of  the  teacher  of  his  own 
Se^  \  who  is  fuppofcd  by  the  Conflitution  to, 
teach  thofe  things  which  tend  to  piety  and  mo- 
rality, as  much  as  the  teacher  of  the  parilh  ;  o- 
therwile  there  would  be  a  fubordination  of  one 
fcfl:  or  denomination  to  another.  The  \foi^Sedi^ 


t  29  ] 

fJU  Dcv.cr  mean  a  body  vyitli  lejal  corporaca 
powers ;  for  the  inoment  a  focicty  has  an  acl  of 
xhc  legifliture  tor  their  eflablifhment,  they  ccafe 
^0  be  a  feet,  and  become  a  legal  body  as  much  a& 
9  town  or  a  parish  is.  There  is  awidediftinc- 
tiai between  an  eftabliihment  and  a  toleration. 
The  diffsnters  in  England,  and  the  Hugonots  ir» 
France,  are  tolerated  ^  that  is,  they  are  freed 
from  peiiecution,  but  not  capable  of  ading  as  « 
legal  body/  But  the  idea  of  toleration  at  all 
times  ari/e^  from  a  {ubprdinarion  of  one  (cdl:  to, 
another ;  unlefs  there  may  be  an  in/lance  where 
the  Civil  Government  makes  no  religious  eftab- 
liihment, tut  tolerates  all  religions  ;  where  all 
lorts  oi profejjions  oi  the  Chriftian  Religion  arc 
on  a  perfeft  equality,  as  they  are  by  our  Conlli- 
tution  :.  the  idei  of  a  toleration  is  Inadmjffible. 
Bat  if  the  ciaufc  in  the  article  was  intended  only 
for  the  benefit  of  CorporateBodies,  it  was  whoUy 
unneceiTciry  ^  for  furely  the  law  which  givjCS 
them  corporate  powers,  gives  them  at  the 
lame  moment  coiiiplcte  exemption,  as  far  as 
the  legillature  can  give  it,  from  all  taxes  affcfled 
bv  any  other  corporation.  We  conceive  that 
the  (evcfcd  pariHies  carved  out  of  a  town,  were 
never  by  any  language  ufcd  in  the  country,  con- 
fidered  as  fe^fts,  bccaufe  they  were  bodies  cftab- 
liilied  by  law. 

Moreover,  as  in  matters  of  the  fupport  of 
teachers,  the  legillature  can  ad!  only  upon  a  con- 
lideration  of  the  focicty  which  is  the  object  of 
their  law,  holding,  and  pofleffing  property  111 
commcp^  or  a  common  eftate,  as  is  not  the 
caie  with  us,  tbciJaptiils^d  others^  who  buili 
""      '  ~"  their 


[     30    ] 

f:bcir  places  of  publick  worfliip  by  a  voluntary 
contribution,  without  contra:^!,  or  an  account  of 
•the  expence.  Thofe  feds  cannot  be,  by  any 
law,  put  upon  that  footing,  which  they  fuppoie 
$he  Conftitution  places  them  on. 

All  money  raifed  for  any  purpofe  by  legal 
affeffment,  mufi:  indeed  be  raifed  by  a  corporate 
•body  ;  and  therefore  as  a  parifli  can  raile  no  mo- 
ney by  tax  for  the  fupport  of  public  teachers, 
but  what  is  oftenfibiy  raifed  for  the  fupport  of  a 
farijh  teacher,  we  fuppofe  the  exprcflion 
•  *'  teacher  or  teachers  aforefaidy*^  is  uled  to 
exprefs,  the  teacher  or  teachers  of  a  pariCh  or 
body  politic.  But  when  w^e  come  to  the  ap- 
propriation of  the  money,  the  expreflion  is  vari- 
^d,and  it  is  not  to  the  '*  feachen  aforelaid^'*  but 
io  the  public  teacher  of  his  own  religious  Se5!'* 
Which  clearly  gives  the  priviledge  of  applying 
the  money  raifed  of  the  fubjecl:  by  legal  aatho- 
rity,to  the  fupport  of  his  own  teacher,  if  he  has 
one,  of  a  SeB  feparated  from  the  pariib,  on  ac- 
courit  of  a  difference  in  fentiment,  with  refpedt 
to  church  difciplinc,  and  the  adminillration  of 
religious  rites.  •  ' 

We  do  not  mean  to  fugjefl  that  every  man, 
-^vho  has  a  diflike  to  the  minifler  of  his  parifh, 
but  ftill  adheres  to  ihe  fame  form  of  worfhip 
and  mode  of  church  difcipline,  has  a  right  to 
have  his  money  paid  to  one  of  the  fame  deno- 
mination, becaufe  he  goes  out  of  the  parilli  to 
hear  him  ;  for  in  fuch  cafe  there  is  no  difference 
of  feds,  and  the  conllitution  has  made  no  pro-^ 
vifion  about  it. 

If  |hp  cgpftrn^Sipn  we  conteDd(or,  is  not  tba 


[     31     3 

true  one,  then  the  Epifcopalians,  Bapiifts,  Qna^ 
kers,  nor  any  other  Sed^ry  has  any  poUibld 
fecurity  apainft  opprcfiion  in  religious  mat- 
ters, from  ihcConflitiiiion.  For  (as  we  believe) 
there  is  not  one  of  them  vefted  wiih  corporate 
powers,  the  laws  now  in  exiftence  for  their 
fecurity  can  be  repealed,  whenever  the  legiflature 
fl^all  fee  fit  to  do  it  :  and  ihey  can  all  be  placed 
in  a  d.iy  on  the  fame  ground  which  we  ncvsJ'^ 
jflandupon. 

We  have  been   told  that  we   ought  toljppty 
to  the  legiflature  for  an  a6l  of  Incorporation,  as 
the  only  remedy  againft  the  opprcffion  we  com- 
plain of ;  but  could  we  be  allured  that  bur  pe- 
tition  would  be  moft  readily   granted,   yet  v^e 
{hould  feel  ourfelves  highly  criminal  in  making 
the  application.  *   Providence  has  fo  ordered  it, 
that  wc    fhould    in  the   firfl  inftance  be  called 
upon'  to  contend  for  thofe  religious  liberties  pre- 
lerved  by  our  excellent  Conflitution.     The  in- 
confiderablenefs  of  our  party,  and  the  prejudi- 
ces raifed   by  our  enemies,   in  the  niinds  of  our 
fellow-citizens,  point  us  out  as  the  proper  objedts 
of  the  firft   cffay    for   religious   tyranny  :   and 
Should  we  fly  to  the  law- makers  inftead  of  thac 
great  law  made  by  the  people  to  govern    the  le- 
giflature itfelfjwe  (hould  in  our  apprchenfion, be- 
tray  our  country's  freedom,  and  adt  a  cowardly 
part.     We  fiiould  ieel   ourfelves  very  unhappy 
if  there  was  no  other  fecurity  in  thefc  matters, 
than  ads  of  legiflation,  which  might  be  repealed 
at  any  time  when  a  particular  party  Ihould  pre- 
vail. '  We 
1                                      -      -  -            — —       — 

J  if  wc  um  it  YfUh  ii  yUw  oiilj  \o  f^vc  our  b:ipg  iax:d. 


I  32  j 

We  do  not  complain  of  pcrirecutldn,but  6h\y 
fef  an  opprcffion,  which   we   arc  convinced  w^s 
intended  by  the  Conltitution   to  be  prevented. 
For  bleffed  be  God,  that  there   is  no  one  (til  or 
denomination  .^t  this  time  fo  prevalent  in  the 
State  as  to  be  able  to  introduce  that  horrid  rnon- 
iler  which  for  fuch  a  number  6f  centuries  has 
inade  havoc  &  deftrudtion  in  the  chriftian  world; 
Fellow-Citizens,    Wheri    you    /hall    be 
j)leafed  to  confider  the  vaft  variety    of    purfuits 
Ivhich  the  human  race  have  been  engaged  in,  id 
procure  that  happinefs  which  all  are  in  fearch 
after  ;  that  what    would  canonize  a  mart  as  a 
laint  in  one  country^  would  bring  hirri  to  infamy  «| 
in  another  5  that  though  men    may   have   vcrj^^^ 
different  principles,  yet  they  may  be  alike  enga-      * 
ged  in  their  refearches  after  the  truth.    In  (hort^ 
when  you  ettendyour  charity  according  to  the 
dilates  of  rcafon,-    and   the   inftrudiions  of   the 
Chriftjan  religion-^ We  believe  that*  yod  will  be 
Contented  to  have  our  Sed  treated  as  you  wifh  to 
be  treated  yourfelves.     And  that  it  will  be  your 
endeavour  that  we  (hall  poffels  ourklves  in  peace 
and  fccurity. 

We  wifti  yoli  to  db  in  this  tafc  tintdu^\  a^ 
yoii  would  rcafonably  exjye.^t  us  to  do  unto  yoii 
in  fimilar  circumftances.  That  thole  who  are 
Congregationalifts  may  bring;  the  matter  home 
to  themfelves,  we  beg  them  to  confider,  hov/ 
they  would  (land  affeded  if  a  majority  of  their 
parill)  (hould  become  Paptirts,  Prefbyterians,  In- 
dependents, or  Sandemanians ;  and  ihould  eleS 
ft  teacher  whom  they  could  not  hear,  and  fct 
top  a  form  of  worfliip  in  which  ih^y  could  not 


t     33     } 

join,  and  compel  the  minority  who  v;ere  Con- 
gre<^aiionalirts  to  pay  to  the  Support  of  it.  If 
that  be  wrong,  then  we  arc  abuled,  unlefs  one 
fedt  is  in  (ubordination  to  another,  and  religion 
is  no  longer  a  matter  between  the  heart  of  each 
individual  and  his  God,  but  a  matter  lubmitted 
to,  and  under  the  controul  of  a  majority  in  foci- 
cty. 

*'  judge  not  that  ye  be  not  judged  ;  for  witK 
*'  what  judgment  ye  judge,  ye  fliall  be  judged  : 
**  and  with  what  meafure  ye  mete,^  it  fhall  be 
**  mcafured  to  you  again/' 


S  W^^^\^i 


_J 


t     34     J       . 

APPENDIX. 

Articles  k  the   Declaration  df 
RIGHT  S. 

II. tT  is  the  right  as  well  as  the  duty  of  all  meft' 


I 


in  fociety,  pablicktv,  and  at  flated  feafons', 
to  worajip  the  SUPREME  BEING,  the  great 
cre:itorand  preferver  of  the  univerle.  And  no 
i"i>bie-t  fliaJl  be  hurt,  molefted^  or  reftrairred,  if\ 
his  perfon, liberty, or  eftate;for  worfliippingGOD 
In  the  manner  and  fealon  mod  agreeable  to  th^e 
dictates  of  his  own  conlcience  ;  or  for  his  religi- 
ous profeffion  or  fentiments  5  provided  he  doth 
not  difturb  the  public  peace,  or  obilruft  others 
in  their  religious  vvorfliip. 

Ikk  As  the  happinefs  of  a  people,  and  the 
good  order  and  prelervation  of  civil  government, 
eflentially  depend  upon  piety,  religion  and  mo- 
rality ;  and  as  thefc  cannot  be  generally  diffufed 
through  a  community,  but  by  the  in  ft  i  tut  ion- of 
the  public  worfhip  of  GOD,  and  of  public  in- 
flrudtions  in  piety, religion  and  morality :  There- 
fore, to  promote  their  happinefs,  and  to  fecure 
the  good  order  and  prefervation  of  their  govern- 
ment, the  people  of  this  Commonw^ealth  have  a 
right  to  inveft  their  legillature  v^^ith  power  to 
authorize  and  req'jire,  and  the  lei;iflature  (hall, 
from- tin^e- to  time,  authorize  and  require,  the 
feveral  towns,  parishes,  pr6cinds,  and  other  bo- 
dies politic,  or  religious  ibcietics,  10  make  fuita- 
ble  provilion,  at  their  own  expence,  for  the  in- 
fiitution  of  the  public  worlhip  of  GOD,  and 
lor  the  fupport  and  maintenance  of  public  pro- 

teflaot 


r  35  ] 

Jeftant  teachers  of  piety,  religion  and  morality^ 
in  all  Cdies  where  lach  provilion  fhall  not  be 
pa.de  voIunta:ily. 

-And  the  people  of  this  Commonwealth  have 
alfo  a  right  to,and  do,inveft  their  legiilattire  ui:h 
authority  to  enjoin  upon  all  the  fubjedls,  an  at- 
tendance ijpon  the  inftrudions  ot  the  public 
teachers  aforefaid,  at  ftatcd  tia^^es  and  feafons  ; 
if  there  be  any  on  whofe  inftruciions  they  can 
confcientiouily  and  conveniently   attend. 

Pkovided  notwlthftanding,  that  the  feveral 
town?,  parifhes,  precincls,  and  other  bodies- po- 
litic, or  religious  locietics,  (liall,  at  all  times^ 
have  the  exclufive  right  ot  cleoung  their  public 
teachers,  and  of  contrading  with  theiivior  their 
fupport  and  maintenance. 

And  all  monies  paid  by  the  fubjedl  to  the  fup- 
port of  public  worfhip,  and  of  the  public  teach- 
ers afore  faid,  fliall,  if  he  require  it,  be  uniformly 
applied  to  the  fuj^port  of  the  public  teacher  or 
teachers  of  his  own  religious  led  or  dcnominaii- 
on,  provided  there  be  any  on  wholje  inflrudiona 
he  attends ;  otherwife  it  may  be  paid  to^vards 
the  fupport  of  the  teacher  or  teachers  of  the  pa- 
ri(h  or  precinfc  in  which  the  laid  monies  ar-e 
raifed. 

And  everv  denomination  of  Chriilians,  de- 
meaning themielvts  peaceably,  and  as  good  luh- 
jeds  of  the  Con^monwealth,  (hail  be  equally  un- 
der the  protection  of  the  law  :  And.  no  lubordi- 
nation  of  any  one  itCX  or  denomination  to  ano- 
ther f]:iall  ever  be  eilabliilied  by  law. 


h  2        ASSOCIATION 


LI 


-        [     36     3 

ASSOCIATION  of  the  la- 

dependent  Church  in  Glcc-ster. 

INASMUCH  as  it  hath  plcaled  God  of  his 
ereat  mercy,  in  every  ag;e  of  the  world,  to 
choofe  a  people  for  himfell  ;  giving  them  his 
iear,  and  revealing  to  them  his  kcret  :  and  as 
this  great  L  ord  of  heaven  and  earih,  the  Father 
ot  our  Lord  JcIds  Chriil,  hath  been  picalcd  to 
reveal  to  babes,  what  he  hatb  hid  from  the  wife 
and  prndent :  We  the  (iibicrlbers,  gratefully 
nffecled  with  a  fenfe  of  the  divine  j^oodnefs,  in 
thub  Jillinguifhifig  up,  who  had  nothinj^  in  us  to 
merit  his  notice;  think  it  our  iniereit  and  bounden 
duty,  to  let  our  l^ght  (bine  before  inen,that  they 
may  lee  our  good  works,  and  glorify  our  Father 
"U'hich  is  in  heaven.  As  therefore  it  hath  pleafed 
God  to  make  us  acquainted  wirh  the  voice  of 
the  good  fliepherd,  the  Lord  Jcfus  Chrift,  the 
great  flicpherd  and  bifhop  of  louis;  we  cannot 
irom  henceiorward  follow  the  voice  of  a  (Iran- 
ger  ;  nor  ever  give  attention  to  iuch  who  are 
unacquainted  with  the  Saviour  of  the  Vvorld.  i.iu 
though  we  cannot  have  fellowihip  with  tbeia 
whole  fellow fliip  is  not  v»'iih  tlic  Fatlier,  •c.ivi 
with  hisSon  Jelus  Ciuill  5  yet  we  are  dcieimni- 
cd,  bv  the  grace  of  God,  "never  ta  jorlake  the 
ancmbli'ig  ot  oui  (elves  together,  as  ibe  iriunncr 
of  fomc  is  ;  but  as  a  church  ot  Chi  ill,  meet  to- 
gether in  his  name,  benig  perluaded,  wiicrever, 
or  whenever  two  or  three  are  thus  met  together^ 
the  iavifiblc  God  will  be  prefcnt  with  ihem. 

As 


[     37     ] 

AsChrirtlans,  we  acknowledge  no  mafterb'ut 
Chnft  Jcius  and  as  cJilciples  of  this  divine  maf- 
ter,  weproftfs  co  tollovv  no  guide  in  fpiritual 
matters,  but  his  word,  and  his  (pirit. 

As  dwellers  in  this  world,  though  not  of  it, 
we  hold  ourfelves  bound  to  yield  obedience  to 
every  ordinance  of  man,  for  God's  fake  ;  and  we 
will  be  peaceable  and  obedient  iubjedls  to  the 
powers  that  are  ordained  of  God,  in  all  civil  ' 
cafes  :  But  as  fubjedlsof  that  King,  whofe  king-  a 
doni  is  not  of  this  world — we  cannot  acknow- 
ledge the  right  ot  any  human  authority  to  make 
laws  for  the  regulating  of  our  confcience  in  any 
fpiritual  matters. 

Thus,  as  a  true  independent  church  of  Chrift, 
looking  unto  Jefus  the  author  and  finiflier  of  our 
faith,  we  mutually  a^ree  to  walk  togeiher  in 
chrillianfellowlbip,  building  up  each  other  in 
our  moil  holy  f^ith,  rejoicing  in  the  liberty 
wherewith  Chrift  hath  made  us  free,  and  deter- 
mining by  his  grace,  no  more  to  be  entangled  by 
any  yoke  of  bonda^^e. 

As  dilciplcs  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Jefus,  we 
refolve  as  far  as  in  us  lieth,tolive  peaceably  with 
all  men  ;  yet  as  believers  living  godly  in  Chrift 
Jclus,  we  expedt  to  (ufier  as  much  perfecuiion  as 
the  laws  of  the  country  we  live  in,  will  admit  of: 
Bat  we  relolve  by  the  grace  of  God,  none  of 
thefe  things  ihall  move  us  to  adt  inconfident; 
wi:h  our  chara'-^er  as  chridians.  We  will  as  much 
as  polliblc  avoid  vain  jangling,  and  unnecefTiry 
dilputation  ;  and  ihculd  we  be  reviled^endeavour 
in  patience  to  poffcfs  our  louls. 

As 


C   38   } 

^$   an  independent  church  of  Chrift    thus 
bound  together  by  the  cords  of  his  love,    an4 
jnceting  together  in  his  name  ;  we  mutually  a- 
gree  to  receive  as  our  Minifter,   that  is  our  Set- 
yaht,  fent  to  labour  arnong  us  in  the  .work  of  die 
gofpel  by  the  great  Lord  of  the   vineyard,    our 
friend   and  chriltjan  brother  John  Murray  : 
This  we  do  from  a  full  convidlion  that  the  lame 
Pod  that  fent  the  ftrft  preachers  of  Jefus  Chrif^, 
fent  him  ;  and  that  the  iarne  gofpel  they  preach- 
ed, we  have  from  time  tq   titne  received    from 
iiim  :  Thus,  believing  him  a  miniCter  of  iheNew 
TeftamentjConflantly  qtckring  the  whole  coun- 
fel  of  God  'y  proclaiming  the  fame  divine  truth 
that  all  God's  holy  Propliets  from  the  beginning 
of  the  world  hath  declared  :   WE  cordially  re- 
ceive him  as  a  Meffenger  from  God,. — And  as  it 
hath  pleafed  God  to  open  a  great  and  an  efTedual, 
door  for  the  preaching  of  liis  golpel  by  this    his' 
fervant  in  fundry  parts   of  this  great  continent/ 
whenever  it  (ball  pieafp  bis  and  our  divine  maf- 
ter  to  call  him  to  preach  the  everlafting  gofpel 
elfewhere,   we  wiih  him  God-fpeed  ;  and  pray 
that  the  good-v/ill  of  him  that  dwelt  in  the  bulli 
may  accompany  him,   and  mal<;e  his  way  clear 
before  him :   But  fliould  lie  at  any  time  preach 
any  other  gofpel,  than  that  we  liave  received, we 
wil/  not  wiili  him  God-fpeed,  but  confider  him 
as  a  flranger. —  And  as  the  great  Lord  of  the  har- 
veft  has  taught  us  to  pray  that  he  would  fend  la- 
bourers into  his  harveft  ;  and  as  he  never  taught 
us  to  pray  in  vain,  but  has  afTured  us,  every  one 
that  aflccth  receiveth,  thoujh  he  has  not  told  ys 
when,  whenever  he  Ihall  lee  fit  to  fend  us  a  mef- 
fenger 


[    39    1 

fengerof  glad  tidings,  a  publifher  of  peace,  wc  ' 
will  with  grateful  hearts  receive  him. — And  as 
the  promife  of  the  divine  prefence  is  to  any  two 
or  three  that  meet  together  in  the  Saviour's 
Dame  ;  we  are  refolved  by  God's  grace,  whether 
we  arc  bleffed  with  the  publick  pi  caching  of  th^ 
word  or  not,  as  often  as  we  find  convenient,  to 
liiect  togeiher,  to  fupplicate  the  divine  fatvour,  to' 
f  raife  our  redeeming  God,  to  hear  his  nioft  holy 
word; and  freely  to  communicate  whatever  God 
fiiall  plcafc  to  itianifeft  to  us  for  our  mutual  edi-* 
fication. 

And  that  v\^e  may  the  more  efedltially  fliev^ 
/orth'  his  prai/e,  who  hath  called  us  outof  dark- 
nefs  into  his  marvellous  light  ;  we  refolvc  to  pay 
a  feiiou3^  regard  to  the  exhortations,  admonitions 
and  inftradtions  given  to  us  by  the  fpirit  of  God, 
in  the  cpiftles  di(ftated  taour  holy  apoftles.  W<S 
will,  as  far  as  in  us  lieth,  do  good  unto  all  men  ; 
but  efpecially  unto  them  who  are  of  the  houf- 
hold  of  faith. 

We  will,  by  the  grace  of  God,  in  word  aM 
in  deed,  endeavour  to  adorn  the  doctrine  of  God 
our  Saviour.  And  as  children  of  one  father,  as 
members  of  one  head,  who  are  united  together 
in  chriftian-fellowfhip,  will,  once  every  month 
meet  together,  to  hold  conference,  and  to  delibe- 
rate on  whatever  may  tend  to  our  mutual  profit. 

Signed  by  all  the  Society. 


1i 


j 


IV^> 


